Current distribution and control unit



April 22, 1952 R. P. BALLOU CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24. 1950 u R M mm. N .4 2/ Mp C 5 R 7 m a R 7 o fJ M H mm& a. r m m n m ATTORNE Y5 Patented Apr. 22, 1952 CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL UNIT Richard P. Ballou, Hartford, Conn., assignor to Federal Electric Products Company, Newark,

N. J a corporation Application J une 24, 1950, Serial No. 170,066

17 Claims. (Cl. 175-298) This invention relates generally to switch controls for parallel circuit arrangements, and more especially to current-distributing switch blocks therefor. The subject matter of this application is related to the invention disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 154,559.

It is an object or the present invention to arrange in a current-distribution block a pull-out type main switch having fused and non-fused sections for feeding different branch circuits, respectively, thereby to attain a maximum over-all rating or capacity of the block and also permit the simultaneous interruption of all branch circuits through operation of a single disconnect means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in a block of this type an auxiliary pullout type switch or switches for the branch circuit or circuits which are fed by the non-fused section of the main switch in the block, thereby to afford control over the latter circuit or circuits independently of the other branch circuit or circuits.

It is another object of the present invention to fuse the auxiliary switch or switches in the block to a permissible maximum load or loads which may well be in excess of the maximum load permitted by the fuse in the main switch in the block, thereby attaining full load control over all branch circuits and having all load-controlling fuses readily accessible in the block.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosed distribution block embodying the present invention;

Fig. 1A is a side elevation of the block itself;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the block, drawn to a larger scale than in Figs. 1 and 1A;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the block as viewed the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear View of the block;

Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections through the block, taken substantially on the lines 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the block, taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is another transverse section through the block, taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 9 and 10 are rear and side views, respectively, of a main switch used in the instant block;

Fig. 11 is a section taken substantially on the line ll-H of Fig.9; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are rear, end and side views, respectively, of an auxiliary switch used in the instant block.

Referring now to the drawings, and more especially to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 2!] designates a current-distribution block for a plurality of branch circuits. The block 29 in the present instance, of the pull-out switch type, and is enclosed in a panel box or metal enclosure 22. The panel box 22, which is open at the front thereof, is normally closed by a trim or cover member 28 which is removably mounted on the box 22 in any suitable manner, as by screws 39, for instance. The block 20 is suitably mounted in the panel box 22, preferably on the rear wall thereof, and the trim member 28 is provided with an inwardly offset opening 38 in which to expose the front face 40 of the mounted block 20. The opening 38 in the trim member 28 is normally closed by a hinged door 42 on the latter. A latch 46, preferably of a spring-type, on the door 42 serves for releasably locking the latter in its closed position to a lug 48 on the trim member 28. The panel box 22, which may have provisions (not shown) for mounting it on any suitable upright support, is in one or more of its walls preferably also provided with the usual knock-outs (not shown) through which to pass the wiring for the block.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, there is shown the current-distribution block 26 which may advantageously be molded in one piece from any suitable insulating material, such as Bakelite, for instance. The block 20 is in the rear and at the top thereof provided with opposite ribs 2! (Figs. 4 and 5) by means of which the block may be suspended from suitable hooks (not shown) on the rear wall of the panel box 22. The block 20 may further be secured to the rear wall of the panel box 22 by screws 25 (Fig. 2). Provided in the block 28 on opposite sides of its longitudinal center line are receptacles and s2, respectively, for the reception of main switches 64 and 66, respectively, which in the present instance, are of the pull-out type (Figs. 1 and 9 to 11). Provided in the receptacle 60 is a live contact 10 which may be of the clip-type shown in Fig. '7. Contact 50 is, by means of screws 8%), secured to the bottom 76 of the receptacle 6!) and connected with a terminal 13 (Figs. 2 and 7). The terminal 18, being a lead-in terminal for one of'the live wires of a three-wire supply system used in the present instance, extends through an opening 82 in the adjacent end wall 84 of the block 20 (Figs. 3 and 7) and carries conventional clamp-on provisions 86 for the live wire.

Provided in the other receptacle 62 is another live contact 90 which may be of the same cliptype as the contact E in the receptacle 60, and is secured to the bottom 9| of the receptacle 62 and connected with a terminal 92 by screws 94 (Fig. '7). The terminal 92, which is a lead-in terminal for the other live wire of the three-wire supply system, extends through an opening 96 in the adjacent end wall 84 of the block 20 and carries wire clamp-on provisions 98.

Further provided in the receptacle 60 is another clip-type contact I00 which is a companion to the adjacent contact I0 and connected with the latter by the main switch 64 when the same is in its circuit-closing position in the receptacle 60 (Fig. 1). The contact I00 is secured to the bottom I6 of the receptacle 60, as well as connected with a bus bar I02, by screws I04 (Figs. 2 and 6).

Further provided in the receptacle B2 is another clip-type contact IIO which is a companion to the adjacent contact 90 and will be connected with the latter by the main switch 66.

when the same is in its circuit-closing position in the receptacle 62 (Fig. l). The contact H0 is secured to the bottom 9I of the receptacle 62, as well as connected with a bus bar I I2, by screws II4 (Fig. 2).

Provided on one side of the block 20 are a number of pairs of companion terminals I20 and I22 for connection with a like number of branch circuits, respectively. The terminals I20 are live-wire terminals, being connected with the contact I00 in the receptacle 60 in a manner hereinafter described, while the terminals I22 are neutral-wire terminals being connected in a manner to be described with a lead-in terminal I23 for the neutral wire of the three-wire supply system. More particularly, the terminals I20 and I22 are so closely coordinated (Fig. 1A) that the terminal pairs I20a, I22a to I20e, I22e are readily recognized as the correct connections for the respective branch circuits.

The block 20 is provided on the other side thereof with pairs of terminals I24 and I26, preferably for connection with the same number of branch circuits as on the opposite side of the block. The terminals I24 and I26 are live and neutral-wire terminals, respectively, which in a manner hereinafter described are connected with the contact H0 and with the neutral-wire leadin terminal I23, respectively. As in the case of the terminals I20 and I22, the terminals I24 and I20 are arranged in closely coordinated pairs I24a, I26a to I24e, I20e (Fig. 2) which are readily recognized as the correct connections for the respective branch circuits.

The connection between the contact H0 and each of the live-wire terminals I24 has an interposed fuse F which may be of the screw type shown in Fig. 2. To this end, the block 20 is in its front face and along one side provided with openings I30 for the reception of metallic sockets I32, respectively, (Fig. which are associated with the adjacent terminal pairs I24e, I 26a to I24e, I26e in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The sockets I32 serve for the reception of the fuses F. The live-wire terminals I24 are, in the present instance, formed by lateral ex tensions I34 on the bottoms of the sockets I32, respectively. Each terminal I 24 is provided with a screw I36 for connecting therewith the live wire of the respective branch circuit. While each socket I32 constitutes one terminal for the inserted fuse F, the other terminal therefor is formed by the head of a conductive screw I38 (Fig. 5) which passes through an insulating washer I 40 in the bottom of the socket and through a wall I44 in the block 20, and is threadedly received by a bus bar I45 which, as shown in Fig. i, is connected at I48 with a conductive bar I50 that is, in turn, connected at I52 with the bus bar H2. The neutral-wire terminals I 26 are provided by screws which are received in a bus bar I that extends over longitudinally spaced side lugs I62 on the block 28 and is secured to the endmost of these lugs I62 by screws I84 (Fig. 4). The bus bar It0 is through a transverse bar I65 electrically connected with the lead-in terminal I23 for the neutral line wire (Fig. 4). The transverse bar I60 extends beneath the receptacles 60 and 62 and is thus effectively insulated from the hot terminals I3 and 92 in these receptacles by the bottoms !6 and 9I of the latter (Fig. 7). The block 20 is in its front face 40 provided with further openings I32 (Figs. 2 and 7) which, in the present instance, are equal in number to the openings I30 and adapted for the reception of metallic sockets I32 for screw type fuses F for further branch circuits. The bottoms of the sockets I32 have lateral extensions I34 (Fig. 7) which form the live-wire terminals I20, respectively. While each of the sockets I32 constitutes a terminal for an inserted fuse F, the other terminal therefor is formed by the head of a conductive screw I38 (Fig. 7) which passes through an insulated washer I40 in the bottom of thesocket and through a wall I42 of the block, and is threadedly received by a bus bar I46 which, as shown in Fig. 4, is connected at Ll!) with a conductive strip I72 that is, in turn, connected at I14 with the bus bar I02 (Fig. 2). The neutral wire terminals I22 are provided by screws which are threadedly received by a bus bar I60 that extends over spaced side lugs I02 on the block 20 and is secured to the endmost of these lugs by screws IE4 (Fig. 4). The bus bar IE0 is connected at I65 with the transverse bar I50 which, as previously described, is connected with the lead-in terminal I23 for the neutral line wire.

Referring now to Figs. 9 to 11, the main switches 64 and 6%, which in their circuit-closing position in the block 20 (Fig. 1) are adapted to connect the contacts I5 and I05 and the contacts and H0, respectively, are in the present instance identical. Thus, each main switch comprises a preferably molded insulating frame I88, having a front cover plate I02 and a dependin circumferential skirt I84 which fits into either of the receptacles 6B or 62 in the block 20. Suitably mounted, as by screws I92 and I24, on the inside of the top cover plate I82 of each main switch are contacts I36 and I88, respectively. Connection between the contacts I06 and I08 of each main switch is made by a cartridge-type fuse 254 of which the contact ends 206 and 258 are releasably held in conductive clips 2i I and 252, respectively, which are connected at 2M and 2E5 with the contacts I96 and I93, respectively. The main switches $4 and 06' are, in the present instance, joined by a plate 2I0 across their front cover plates I82 so that these switches form a single unit for simultaneously opening and closing all branch circuits so far referred to. The connecting plate 2I0 is provided with a preferably pivoted handle I83 for the simultaneous manipulation of both main switches 64 and 66. Instead of joining the separate main switches 64 and 66 by the connecting plate M0,

the frames I60 of these switches may be molded in a single piece. The contacts I96 and I98 of the main switches 64 and 66 will, on insertion of the latter in circuit-closing position in the receptacles 60 and 62, respectively, enter between and engage the clip-type contacts 10, 100 in receptacle 60 and the contacts 90, H0 in receptacle 62, respectively, and thereby close all branch circuits associated therewith. To open these branch circuits, the main switches 64 and 66 are withdrawn from the receptacles 60 and 62 and may in inverted disposition be inserted in thesereceptacles for safe-keeping while the branch circuits remain open. The front face 40 of the block 20 preferably bears adjacent the receptacles 62 and 6D the legends "0n and Off, respectively, of which the legend On is exposed and readily discernible in a side notch 220 in the top cover plate I82 of the main switch 66 when both switches are in their circuit-closing position in the block 20 (Fig. 1). Conversely, if the main switches 64 and 66 are inserted in their respective receptacles 62 and 60 in circuit-opening position therein, the notch 220 in the switch 66 will expose for ready discernibility the legend Oil on the block 20. Thus, an observer may at a glance determine whether the inserted switches 64 and 66 are in circuit-closing position or in circuitopening position.

Mounted in the receptacles '60 and 62 of the block 26 adjacent, but spaced from, the contacts 10 and 96, respectively, are further clip-type contacts 225 and 226, respectively, which, besides being connected with further branch circuits in a manner hereinafter described, serve also for releasably holding the main switches 64 and 66 in their circuit-opening position in the block 20. Thus, the clip-type contacts 225 and 226 are used to clamp the contacts I96 of the main switches 64 and 66, respectively, in the circuit-opening position of the latter in the block, as will be readily understood.

To protect a person, on removal of the main switches 64 and 66 from the block 20, from possible contact with the live conductors in the block, these being the live-wire terminals 18 and 92 and the live contacts 19 and 90 (Fig. 2), these live conductors are within the confines of the opening 38 in the trim member 28 on the panel box 22 preferably shielded by insulating covers 230 of which one is provided for each receptacle 60 and 62, although only one cover 230 is shown in the drawings. For mounting the covers 230, there are provided in each of the receptacles 60 and 62 raised lugs 232 and 234 on which may rest a cover 230 with one end 235 thereof projecting underneath the top edge 236 of the opening 96 in the end wall 84 of the block (Fig. 3), while the other end of the cover may be secured, as by a screw 236, to the lug 232. Each cover 230 has a raised rib 242 (Figs. 2 and 7) which, together with the adjacent wall of the receptacle in which the cover is located, forms a guard through which the correct switch contact, but not the finger of a human hand, may move into engagement with the shielded live contact in the receptacle. Both covers 239, which are preferably alike in every respect, are provided with further raised ribs 250 to provide passages to the adjacent contacts 225 and 2216 in the respective receptacles'60 and 62.

In order to permit the connection of the instant block 20 with more branch circuits than is afforded by the terminals I20, I22, I24 and I 26, there are provided on the associated live and neutral bus bars I46 and I60 further terminals 256 and 258, respectively (Figs. 2 and 3). Likewise, the associated live and neutral bus bars I46 and I60 at the other side of the block 26 are preferably .provided with further terminals 269 and 262, respectively. Thus, in the present example, the block 20 described so far has provisions for connecting therewith twelve branch circuits, six on each side of the block. These branch circuits, being connected with the neutral wire of the line, as described, carry current of approximately one-half the voltage of that across the live wires of the supply system, as will be readily understood.

The instant block 20 has also provisions for connecting therewith a branch circuit or circuits requiring the full voltage across the live wires of the three-wire supply system. To this end, the contacts 225 and 226 in the block receptacles 60 and 62, respectively, are connected with terminals 210 and 212, respectively, on one side of the block 20 by way of an auxiliary pull-out type 290 (Figs. 4 and 8) which is mounted in place by having one end thereof inserted in a slotted lug 292 on the bottom wall 211 of the receptacle 216 (Fig. 8), and having its other end connected at 294 with a bus bar 296 which extends underneath the bottom 16 of the receptacle 60 (Fig. 4) and is connected with the contact 225 by conductive screws 291 by means of which both, the bus bar 296 and the contact 225, are secured to the bottom wall 16 of the receptacle 60 (Fig. 7). Contact 282 is formed by a slotted portion of a conductive strip 300 (Fig. 4) which is mounted in place by having one end received in a slotted lug 302 on the bottom wall 211 of the receptacle 216, and by having its other upturned end 30I connected at 304 with a bus bar 306 which extends underneath the bottom wall 9I of the receptacle 62 (Figs. 4 and '1) and is connected with the contact 226 in the latter by conductive screws 301 by means of which both, the bus bar 306 and the contact 226 are secured to the bottom wall 9| of the receptacle 62. .Since the contacts 225 and 226 are, in the circuit-closing position of the main switches 64 and 66, connected with the adjacent live contacts 10 and 90, respectively, in a, manner described hereinafter, the contacts 280 and 282 in the receptacle 216 will be live contacts when the main switches 64 and 66 are in their referred to circuit-closing position in the block 20. The contacts 284 and 286, which are companions to the contacts 280 and 282, respectively, are formed by slotted portions of conductive strips 3I0 and 3I2, respectively, which are mounted in place by having their inner ends 3 inserted in slotted lugs 3I4 and 3I6, respectively, on the bottom wall 211 of the receptacle 216 (Figs. 4 and 8), and by being secured by screws 3! to one of the adjacent side lugs I62 on the block 20. The outer ends of the strips 3I0 and 3I2 may conveniently be formed into the terminals 210 and 212, respectively, in the manner best shown in Fig. 8.

. In order to connect the contacts 10 and 225 and the contacts and 226 in the block receptacles .60 and 62, respectively, the contacts l95on thefmain switches 64 and'fifiare extendedto. provide further contacts or stabs 260a and 2491), respectively, (Figs. 9 and 11) which in the cir cuit closing position of the switches 64 and 6 6,

in the block 29 conductively engage the contacts 225 and 225 in the receptacles 69 and 62 respectively. Hence, the contacts 280 and 282 .in the block receptacle 215 receive, in the circuit-. closing position of the main switches Stand 65, current directly from the live contacts 10 and 96,

respectively, without intervention from the cartridge-typefuses 2834 in these main switches 6A and.

The companion contacts 280, 234 and 282,286

are bridged by the. auxiliary switch, 214 in its circuit-closin position in the receptacle 215 (Fig. 1). To this end, the switch 21 whiclrm ay have amolded'frame 33!) (Figs. 12 and 14), core ries-clipetype companion contacts 332, 334; and

33 6, 338 of which the contacts of both pairsare.

cuit-closing position therein, engage the fixed contacts 286, 280, 236 and 282, respectively, in thereceptacle, 2E6 and close the branch cir'cuit leading from the terminals 210 and 272, To open this branch circuit, it is merely necessary to pull the switch 215 out of the receptacle 216, unless the same circuit is already openedby the main switches 64, (35. The switch 27 may in inverted disposition be inserted in the receptacle 215 for safe-keeping therein while the associated branch circuit is open, in which case the contacts 232 'to 338 will enter and be yieldingly held in the empty slots 27S in the bottom of the recep-v tacle' 2'58, as will be readily understood. In order to indicate to an observer whether the.

auxiliary switch 21% is in its circuit-closing or circuit-opening position in the receptacle 216., the front face lilc fthe block 22 preferably bears on the opposite: sides of the receptacle 2 16 the legends Onf andfOff, respectively. When the switch 2'14, is in its circuit-closing position in the'recepta cle 275, a side notch etc in the switch front cover'3'62 (Figs. 1 and 12) exposes the legend On adjacent the receptacle 21%, while a niar'ginal'extension 364 on the cpposite side.

of; the switch covers the legend Oi-if. adjacent the receptacle 21%. Conversely, when theswitch 214 is inserted inithe receptacle 276 in its circuitopening position therein, a side notch 356 in the switch front cover 382 will expose the, legend Off, while the switch extension 354 will cover the legend On, as will be readily understood. The switch 214 is for its manipulation preferably rovided with a pivoted handle 3'15. For ready. guidance of the contacts 332 to 338 on the switch 2 'ldinto the aligned slots in the bottom or the receptacle 276, the switch is provided with oppo-- site guide ribs 388 and 310 which are alternately slidably receivable in opposite guide grooves 3-12 andtfit in the block2il;

The block 2% may, for its connection with another full-voltage, branch circuit, be provided with further live wire terminals flifiand 31$ (Fig.2) which are connected with the contacts 225and 226 in thereceptacles Hi and 62, re-

spectively, by way of another auxiliary pullout type breaker 382 (Fig 1) ina, receptacle 3,82in the block 20 (Fig. 2). rheswitbhsfgt ar; with. n r eptienfl efie e sribeda e.

said receptacle 382.

the strips3l0 and 312 on the opposite side of the block 28. Also, the outer ends of the strips 392 and 3.94 are formed into the terminals 316 and 3'58, respectively (Fig. 8). The other fixed contacts 386 and 3% in the receptacle 382 are provided by slotted portions of the previously described conductive strips 299 and 300, respec: tively (Fig.2). Thus, on inserting the switch 380 in the receptacle 382 into its circuit-closing position therein, in which a notch in, a lateral ,extension on, the front cover 396 of the switch exposes the legend On and covers the legend Off, respectively, adjacent the receptacle 3S2- (Figf 1), the branch circuit leading from the terminals 318 and 318 is connected with the live wires of the three-wire supply system when the main switches Ed, 56 are in their circuitclosing position in the block 26, as will be readily understood. The switch 580 is, for the correct guidance of its contacts into the aligned slots in the bottom of the receptacle 382, provided with opposite guide ribs (not shown) which are alternately slidably receivable in opposite guide grooves 469 and 402 in the opposite sides of the receptacle 382. The guide ribs on the auxiliary switch 389 are preferably dimensioned difier ently than those on the other auxiliary switch on their respective front covers, describing the type of service for which the respective branch circuits are intended, such as for a cookingrangeand for a water heater, for instance.

The neutral bus bars I59] and I63 on the opposite sides, respectively, of the blocks 20 are provided with further terminals MD and M2, respectively, (Fig. 2). Thus, either one of the branchcircuits leading from the terminals 210 and2fl2 and from the terminals H6 and 313, respectively, may, if desired, be supplied with current ofapproximately the voltage of that across the live wires of the three-wire supply system, by simply connecting either side of the circuit. with the adjacent neutral-wire terminal ago or m, as will be readily understood.

With the instant construction and arrangement of the block 20 and the main switches 6c andv 66, the full-voltage branch circuits leading fromthe terminals 210, 212, and 316, 318 (Fig. 2) are not in any way limited to the loads permitted by the fuses 20?. in the main switches 64 and 66, and are opened simultaneously with all other branch circuits when these main switches are pulled out of the block. The overall rating or capacity of'the block may thus be considerably increased, and all branch circuits may be opened through operation of a single disconnect means. By providing the block with theauxiliary switches 214 and 380, ready control is afiordedover the above-mentioned fullvoltage branch circuits independently of the other branch circuits. Further, by providing the auxiliary switches 214 and 389 also with fuses, full lqa -control is attained over all branch circuits and all load-controlling fuses are readily accessible in the block.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A current distribution and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal or" another of said load circuits, and a movable switching member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respec tively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said movable switching member, an additional contacton, and connected directly to said first contact of, said movable switching member and engaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said switching means.

2. A current distribution and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, and a movable switching member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said movable switching member, an additional contact on, and connected directly to said first contact of, said movable switching member and engaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said switching means, all of said contacts of said movable switching member being disengageable as a unit from said first mentioned switch contacts, respectively, for simultaneously disconnecting all of said load circuits from said line terminal.

3. A current distribution and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, current-responsive means connecting said third contact to said last mentioned load terminal, and a movable switching member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed tacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, a fused pull-out switch member connecting said third contact to said last mentioned load terminal, and a movable switching member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said movable switching member, an additional contact on, and connected directly to said first contact of, said movable switching member and engaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said switching means.

5. A current distribtuion and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, current-responsive means connecting said third contact to said last mentioned load terminal, and a movable switching member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said movable switching member, an additional contact on, and connected directly to said first contact of, said movable switching member and engaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said switching means, all of said contacts of said movable switching member being disengageable as a unit from said first mentioned switch contacts, respectively, for simultaneously disconnecting all of said load circuits from said line terminal.

6. A current distribution and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, and a pull-out switch member having'first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said switch 1 member, an additional contact on, and connected directly to said first contact of, said switch member and engaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said switching means.

7. A current distribution and control unit for a plurality of load circuits, comprising switching means provided with first and second switch contacts for connection respectively to a line terminal and to a load terminal of one of said load circuits, a third switch contact for connection to said first contact and to a load terminal of another of said load circuits, and a movable switch ing member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the closed condition of said switching means, current-responsive means connecting said contacts of said movable switching member, an additional contact on, and connected directly to said first contact of, said movable switching member and enaging said third switch contact in said closed condition of said-switching means, a fused pull out switch member connecting said third contact to said last mentioned load terminal and a pullout switch member having first and second contacts engageable with said first mentioned first and second switch contacts, respectively, in the minals connected in parallel, a plurality of fuse receptacles, one for each ofsaid branch circuits,

mounted on said base, a fusedpull-out switch mounted on said base and connected 'in series with another of said setsof load terminals, and

a main pull-cut switch mounted on said basefor connecting said fuse receptacles and said fused pull-out switch in parallel to a source of current, said main pull-out switch having a line terminal, a stationary contact connected to said line terminahasecond stationary contact, apair of movable contacts connected to each other and to said stationary contacts, respectively, said second stationary contact being connected directly to said first mentioned pull-out switch, said main pull-out switch having additional companion stationary and movable contacts, said last mentioned stationary contact being connected to all of said fuse receptacles, and-a-fuse connecting said last mentioned movable contact to said first mentioned movable contacts.

9. A current distribution and control unit for load circuits, comprising an insulation block having a switch receptacle, fixed first, second and third contacts in said receptacle for connection with a line terminal, a load terminal forafirst load circuit and a load terminal for a second 'load'circuit, respectively, and a pull-out switch member insertable, in said receptaoleinto switchclosing position therein and having first and second electrical conductors adapted, in the closed switch position, electrically-to connect said first and second contacts and said first-andthird contacts, respectively, only one of said conductors including a fuse.

10. -A current distribution and control unit for load circuits, comprising an insulation block having main andauxiliaryswitch receptacles, fixed first, second and third contacts in said main receptacles of which said firstand second contacts ,are for connection with a line terminal and a load terminal of first load circuit, respectively, fixed fourth and fifth contacts in said auxiliary receptacle of which said fourth contact is connected with said third contact and said fifth contact isfor connection with a load terminal of a second load circuit, and pull-out main and auxiliary switch membersinsertable in said main and auxiliary receptacles, respectively, into their respective switch-closing positions, said main switch member having first and second electrical conductors adapted, in the closed position of said main switch member, electrically to connect said first and second contacts and said first and third contacts, respectively, said first conductor including a fuse and said second conductor being fuse-less, and said auxiliary switch 12 member having a third conductor adapted, in the closed position of said auxiliary switch member, electrically to connect said fourth and fifth contacts.

11. A current distribution and control unit as set forth in claim 10, in which said third conductor includes a fuse.

12. 'A current distribution and control unit for load'circuits, comprising an insulation block having a switch receptacle, first, second and third line terminals on said block for connection with the -two1ive wires and the neutral wire, respectively, of a three-wire supply system, two first sets of load circuit terminals on said block, two second sets of load circuit terminals on said block associated with the terminals of said first sets, respectively, and connected with said third 7 line terminal, other load terminals on said block for another load circuit, first, second and third pairs of fixed contacts in said receptacle, the

contacts of said first pair being connected with said first and second line terminals, respectively,

"the contacts of said second pair being connected with the terminals of said first sets, respectively,

and-the contacts of said third pair being connected with said other load terminals, respectively, and a pull-out switch member insertable in said receptacle into switch-closing position therein and having first and second pairs of conductors of-which the conductors of said first pair'connect paired contacts, respectively, of said first and second pair, and the conductors of said second'pair connect paired contacts, respectively, of said first and third pair, in the closed position'of said switch member, each of the conductors of said first pair including a fuse, and the conductors of said second pair being fuse-less.

13. A current distribution and control unit as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a switch between-and in series connection with said third contact pair and other load terminals.

'14. A current distribution and control unit as set forthin claim 12, further comprising a fused switch between and in series connection with said third contactpair and other load terminals.

15. A current distribution and control unit as set forth-in claim 12, further comprising another switch receptacle in said block, fourth and fifth pairs of fixed contacts in said other receptacle of which the, contacts of said fourth pair are connected with'the contacts, respectively, of said third pair and the contacts of said fifth pair are connected with said other load terminals, respectively, and an auxiliary pull-out switch member insertable in said otherreceptacle into switchclosing position therein and having conductors which, in the closed position of said auxiliary switch member,.connect paired contacts, respectively, of said fourth and fifth pair.

16. A current distribution and control unit as set forth in claim 12, further comprising another switch receptacle in said block, fourth and fifth pairs of fixed contacts in said other receptacle of which the contacts of said fourth pair are connected with the contacts, respectively, of said third pair and the contacts of said fifth pair are connected with said other load terminals, respectively, and an auxiliary pull-out switch memberinsertable in said other receptacle into ,switcheclosing position therein and having conductors which, in the closed position of said auxiliary switch member, connect paired contacts, respectively, of said fourth and fifth pair, onecf said conductors of said auxiliary switch member including a fuse.

13 17. A current distribution and control unit as set forth in claim 12, further comprising another switch receptacle in said block, fourth and fifth pairs of fixed contacts in said other receptacle of which the contacts of said fourth pair are 14 tacts, respectively, 01 said fourth and fifth pair, each of said conductors of said auxiliary switch member including a fuse.

RICHARD P. BALLOU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,910,686 Frank May 23, 1933 2,074,861 Sachs Mar. 23, 1937 

